After a wobbly start, India’s skipper, Suryakumar Yadav, lauded his team’s composure and credited Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube for changing the dimensions of the innings and setting it up for a respectable total during India’s 15-run triumph over England in the fourth T20. Pandya and Dube stabilized the innings when it went back to 12/3 in the second over, lifting the hosts to 181/9. “We didn’t want to go back after 12/3. Just too much. Three wickets in one over,” Suryakumar said after India’s 15-run win. “The way Hardik and Dube showed experience and their ability to handle their next bowler was great.”
The intent of India was reasserted by the skipper: “This is what we have been talking about – expressing oneself and batting the same way as in practice sessions. I think we are going in the right way.” However, Dube took a nasty hit on the helmet and had to leave in the dying ember of the game, giving Rana a surprise but dream debut in T20.
“I knew we could take control of the game once the powerplay was over. We then got some wickets, and after drinks, Harshit Rana came in as the third seamer and bowled beautifully,” Suryakumar added.
Rana made the most of his opportunity by leading the pack of performers, claiming three wickets against the opposition.
“Still, for me, it’s a dream debut. When Dube went out, I was told just after the second over that I would be the concussion substitute,” Rana said.
The rookie pace bowler disclosed preparations long before the series.
“I had been preparing for quite some time, not just for this series. I wanted this chance [debut] for proving myself. It was simply delivering the goods once the opportunity arose; I did not think of the situation I was in. From experience, I thought about bowling at the death [for KKR in the IPL] and trusted my instinct,” Rana says.